Article handling system

ABSTRACT

An ammunition handling system is provided for storing rounds of ammunition in an array of parallel columns wherein all of the rounds in the lead column are at all times under the control of and fed by a helical stoker, which subsequently and automatically advances to each column in sequence.

United States Patent Cozzi et al.

May 6, 1975 ARTICLE HANDLING SYSTEM Inventors: Thomas W. Cozzi,Burlington; Douglas P. Tassie, St. George; Raymond A. Patenaude,Burlington,

Appl. No.: 379,930

[52] US. Cl. 89/34; 198/25; l98/40', 198/104 [51] Int. Cl. F411! 9/02[58] Field of Search 89/33 B, 33 BA, 33 BB, 89/33 BC, 34, 46; 198/22 R,22 B, 25, 40, I04; 2l4/l6.l CF

36 f o O 45 24 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,255,2752/l9l8 Barnett et al l98/l04 Primary Examiner-Stephen C. BentleyAttorney, Agent, or FirmBailin L. Kuch [57] ABSTRACT An ammunitionhandling system is provided for storing rounds of ammunition in an arrayof parallel columns wherein all of the rounds in the lead column are atall times under the control of and fed by a helical stoker, whichsubsequently and automatically advances to each column in sequence.

26 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEMY 51975 "2.881 ,395

SHEET 2 BF 7 PATENTEDMAT sms 3.881.395

SHEET 3 a; 7

PATENTEUHAY 6|975 SHEEI 7 BF 7 PATENTEUH Y 19 ARTICLE HANDLING SYSTEMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to systems for storing and for conveying articles, undercontrol, at high rates; and especially to a linkless ammunition handlingsystem for rate of fire machine guns.

2. Prior Art Ammunition Handling Systems for linkless ammunition forhigh rate of fire guns are well known. Examples can be found in U.S.Pat. No. 1,935,9l4 issued to B. Darsie et al. on May l0. I960; U.S. Pat.No. 2,993,4l issued to E. W. Panicci et al. on July 25, l96l; and U.S.Pat. No. 3,696,704 issued to L. F. Backus et al. on Oct. l0, I972. Thesesystems include an outer stationary drum having angularly spaced apart,longitudinally extending partitions therein and an inner, rotating,helical, longitudinally extending partition. Rounds are arranged inlongitudinally extending columns about the central longitudinal axis andhave their bullets disposed between adjacent layers of the helicalpartition. Rotation of the helical partition advances the rounds longitudinally along the drum, which rounds are picked up by a scoop discassembly having traveling sprockets. A drum system not requiring a scoopdisc assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,658 issued to R. A.Hougland et al. On Apr. 2, 1974.

Flat arrays of rectilinear columns of ammunition are shown in U.S. Pat.No. 3,045,553 issued to E. Mosle on July 24, I962, in which all of therounds ofa given column are fed in sequence before the rounds of thenext column in sequence are fed in sequence by an endless conveyorchain.

Flat arrays of rectilinear columns of ammunition are also shown in U.S.Pat. No. l,l36,695 issued to A. Miclaus, Jr. on Apr. 20, I915; U.S. Pat.No. 3,747,469 issued to E. Ashley et al. on .lUly 24, I973; and in U.S.Pat. No. 3,720,30l issued to N. C. Garland et al. on Mar. I3, 1973, inwhich the lead round in each of the columns in sequence is fed by anendless conveyor chain.

In these flat arrays all of the rounds are moved concurrently towardsthe endless conveyor chain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide anammunition handling system in a flat rectangular configuration which isrelatively simple and rugged in construction.

A feature of this invention is the provision of an ammunition handlingsystem storing rounds of ammunition in an array of parallel columnswherein all of the rounds in the lead column are at all times under thecontrol of and fed by a helical stoker, which subsequently andautomatically advances to each column in sequence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other objects, features andadvantages of the invention will be apparent from the followingspecification thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing. in which:

FIG. I is perspective view of a first embodiment of this inventionhaving a single. traveling. helical stoker feeding a traveling, endless.conveyor chain:

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation in cross-section of the embodiment ofFIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a top view in partial cross-section, with the top plateremoved, of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the counter and drive system of the embodimentof FIG. 1',

FIG. 5 is a front view of the counter and drive system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of this inventionhaving a first traveling helical stoker feeding a second non travelinghelical stoker which in turn feeds an endless conveyor chain;

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is a detail of a third embodiment of this invention.

A FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION A flat pack, single helilcal stokeroperated, ammunition handling system is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. Thesystem includes a top plate 10 to which a plurality of inverted T-shapedrails 12 are fixed in parallel, spaced apart relation to define aplurality of parallel channels 14 of T-shaped cross-section. Eachchannel 14 is adapted to receive a plurality of cased rounds ofammunition, with the extractor plate 16 of each case interlocked in thecross-slot of the T defined by two immediately adjacent rails 12. In thefirst embodiment here shown, there are four columns of 23 rounds each.The rounds are held against columnar movement by a left stop bar 17closing the left end of each channel I4, and by a respective crank armoperated, ball detent 18 closing the right end of each channel.

A right front bracket 20, a right rear bracket 22, a left front bracket24 and a left rear bracket 26 are respectively fixed to the top plate10. A right index shaft 28 is journalled through and between the rightbrackets 20 and 22 as by bearings 30, and a left index shaft 32 issimilarly journalled through and between the left brackets 24 and 26. Anadditional right front bracket 34 is fixed to the bracket 20 and anadditional left front bracket 36 is fixed to the bracket 24. Across-shaft 38 is journalled through and between the brackets 34 and 36.The rear end of the right index shaft 28 is coupled to and driven by acounter and drive system 40, and the front end has a bevel gear 42 fixedthereto and meshed with a bevel gear 44 fixed to the right end of thecrossshaft 38, which has a bevel gear 46 fixed to its left end andmeshed with a bevel gear 48 fixed to the left index shaft 32, all toturn the right and left index shaft is synchronism.

An acme screw shaft 50 or a worm shaft is journalled through and betweenthe brackets 20 and 22, and its rear end is coupled to and driven by thecounter and drive system 40.

A right traveling bracket 52 is journalled on the right index shaft 28,and a left traveling bracket 54 is journalled on the left index shaft32. A helical stoker shaft 56 is journalled through and between thebrackets 52 and 54. Each index shaft has an irregular helical cam slot58 therein. in which there rides a cam follower 60 which is fixed to therespective traveling bracket. The slot 58 has a plurality of portions 62of zero advance respectively in alignment with each channel I4 (orcolumn of rounds). which are intcrcoupled 630 portions 64 ofprogressively slow, rapid and slow advance, whereby two revolutions ofthe index shafts serve to shift the stoker shaft 56 from alignment withone column of rounds to alignment with the next adjacent column ofrounds. The stoker shaft has a helical flute 66 whose radius ofcurvature is greater than the radius of curvature of the case of theround, so that the flute surface engages the case surface at only twopoints 68, 70. When driving the rounds to the right to feed the gun thedriving point 68 is between the T- shaped rails 12 and the longitudinalaxis of the stoker shaft. When driving the rounds to the left to reloadthe channels the driving point 70 is beyond the stoker shaft axis. Agear 72 is fixed to the right end of the stoker shaft 56 and is meshedwith and driven by the acme screw shaft 50.

A turn-around sprocket and conveyor assembly 80 is also carried by theright bracket 52. A two disc, six cup sprocket 82 is fixed on the shaft84 which is joumalled to and between an upper arm 86 and a lower arm 88.An endless chain of conveyor elements 90, such as is shown in US. Pat.No. 3,429,221 issued to R. G. Kirkpatrick on Feb. 25, i969 travels aboutthe sprocket, A curved semi-T-rail 92 is fixed to the traveling bracket52 and engages the extractor plate of each case as it leaves the T-railsl2 and enters the sprocket 82 and the associated endless conveyor forconveyance to the associated gun or other utilization device.

The counter and drive system 40 is journalled between a front wall 100and a rear wall 102. Main power in is provided to a shaft 104 to whichare fixed a gear 106 and a gear 108. The shaft 104 is rotated at therate of one revolution per round of ammunition pitch. The gear 106 ismeshed with a gear 110 fixed to the acme screw shaft 50 which is therebydriven at the rate of eight revolutions per round. The gear 108 ismeshed with a one pin geneva drive wheel 112 which is rotated at therate of one-quarter of a revolution per round on a shaft 114. The wheelI12 drives a six slot geneva driven wheel 116 at the average rate ofone-twenty fourth ofa revolution per round. The wheel 116 is fixed on ashaft 118 to which is also fixed a one pin geneva drive wheel 120 whichdrives a six slot geneva driven wheel 122. The wheel 122 is fixed on ashaft 124 to which is also fixed a gear 126. After twenty threerevolutions of the input shaft 104 the geneva train provides one-sixthof a revolution of the gear 126 during the twenty fourth revolution ofthe shaft 104. The gear 126 is meshed with an idler gear 128 fixed on ashaft 130 which is meshed with a gear 132 which is fixed to the rightindex shaft 28. The one-sixth revolution of the gear 126 provides tworevolutions of the index shafts 28 and 32.

In summary, the counter and drive system provides a continuous rotationof the acme screw shaft 50 at a rate of eight revolutions per round;counts out the full complement of rounds in each column which are beingextracted therefrom by the helical stoker shaft 56, which stoker shaftis driven by the acme screw shaft; and when the last round, here shownas the twentythird round, has been extracted from the column and is inthe virtual twenty-fourth round position and is still nestled in theflute of the stoker shaft. provides two rev olutions to the index shafts28 and 32. The two revolutions serve to translate the stoker shaftcarried by the traveling brackets 52 and 54 to the next adjacent columnof rounds together with the last extracted round of the previous column;i.e. the twenty-third round in the virtual twenty-fourth round position.During this lateral translation, the stoker shaft does not rotate, eventhough it is meshed with the continuously rotating acme screw shaft,because the rotation of the stoker shaft caused by the translation ofthe stoker shaft along the longitudinal axis of the acme screw shaftexactly cancels the rotation of the stoker shaft caused by the rotationof the acme screw shaft about its own axis. The of zero advance portion62 of the index cam slot 58 adjacent each column permits accuratealignment of the stoker shaft notwithstanding some play and tolerancebuildup in the index shafts.

The turn-around shaft 84 has a bevel gear fixed thereto which is meshedwith a bevel gear 142 fixed to a shaft 144 which is journalled through abracket 146 fixed to the arm 86 and through the bracket 52 and to whichis also fixed a bevel gear 148 which is meshed with and driven by thegear 72.

As mentioned earlier, the conveyor system, which is flexible, and whoseinput end travels with the stoker shaft from column to column of rounds,may convey the rounds to the associated gun in a conventional manner asshown, for example, in US. Pat. No. 3,670,863 issued to O. H. Meier etal. on June 20, 1972. Alternatively, the rounds may be carried toanother ammunition handling system as shown, for example, in US. Pat.No. 3,696,704 issued to L. F. Backus et al. on Oct. 10, 1972. In anyevent the rounds may be manually preloaded into the T-slot columnsindividually, or in clips, as discussed with respect to FIG. 10, infra.

A SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE lNVENTlON A varient of the inventionemploying a fixed auxiliary stoker shaft to collect the rounds from thetraveling main stoker shaft and to deliver these rounds to a fixedendless conveyor belt system is shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9. In thisembodiment there are 26 columns of 47 rounds in channels 200 provided byinverted T-rails 202 integral with a top plate 204.

Power is supplied to the ammunition handling system from an externalsource, such as the gun, to a power input gear 220 which is fixed to theauxiliary helical stoker shaft 222, which is journalled in suitablestationary brackets, not shown. The gear 220 is meshed with a gear 224fixed on a shaft 226 and to which is fixed a gear 228. The gear 228 ismeshed with a gear which is fixed to the main worm shaft 230, which isjournalled in suitable stationary brackets, not shown.

A right indexing screw 240, a left indexing screw 242, and a couplingshaft 244, are respectively journalled in stationary brackets, notshown, and are intercoupled by respective helical gears 246. Thecoupling shaft 244 extends to the right and has fixed thereto a mitergear 250, which is meshed with a miter gear 252. A pinion 254 is fixedlyco-shafted with the gear 252 and is meshed with an idler gear 256, whichis meshed with an idler gear 258. The gear 258 is meshed with a gear 260which is fixedly co-shafted with a pinion gear 262, which is the outputgear of the counter and drive system 264.

A worm wheel 266 for synchronizing the discharge conveyor system 267 ismeshed with and driven by the main worm shaft 230, and is fixedlyco-shafted with a receiving sprocket 268, and a gear which gear ismeshed with a gear 270 which is fixedly eo-shafted with a gear 272 and aloading sprocket 274. The gear 272 is meshed with a gear 276 which isfixedly co-shafted with a conveyor turn around sprocket 278.

A stoker traveling assembly 279 includes a worm wheel 280 for drivingthe main helical stoker shaft 282 which is meshed with and driven by themain worm shaft 230, and is fixedly co-shafted with a gear 284 and astoker transfer sprocket 286. The gear 284 is meshed with a spur gear288 which is fixedly co-shafted with a helical gear 289. The gear 290 ismeshed with a helical gear 292 which is fixedly co-shafted with a gear294, which is meshed with a gear 296 which is fixedly coshafted with agear 298, which is meshed with a gear 300, which is fixed to and drivesthe main helical stoker shaft 282. The shaft 282 is journalled insuitable traveling brackets 283, respectively riding on the right andleft indexing screws 240, 242, and having respective cam followersengaging the cam slots of the indexing screws, as shown with respect tothe first embodiment of this invention.

The counter system 264 includes a worm wheel 290 which is meshed withand driven by the main worm shaft 230, and is fixedly co-shafted with afirst geneva driving wheel 292 having two pins. The wheel 292 engages afirst geneva driven wheel 294 having four slots, which is fixedlyco-shafted with a second geneva driving wheel 296 having one pin. Thewheel 296 engages a second geneva driven wheel 298 having six slots,which is fixedly co-shafted with a third geneva driving wheel 300 havingone pin. The wheel 300 engages a third geneva driven wheel 302 havingsix slots, which is fixedly co-shafted with a gear 304, which is meshedwith the gear 262.

The discharge conveyor system 267, is similar to that shown in US. Pat.No. 3,429,22l, supra, and includes an endless chain of conveyor elements310 operating around the turn around sprocket 278. The conventionalguides for the conveyor system are not shown.

To retain the rounds in their channel, suitable detents, not shown, areprovided at the ends of the channels, as shown with respect to the firstembodiment. To retain the rounds against the auxiliary helical stokershaft 222, a half-T-rail and a pair of endless flexible bands, notshown, are provided. The half-T-rail lies above the shaft 222, as shownwith respect to the first embodiment of this invention, and engages theextractor disc of each round of ammunition as it is driven by the shaft222. One run of one of the flexible bands engages the cases above thestoker shaft along the extractor groove of each case. and the run of theother of the flexible bands engages the cases below the stoker shaftabove the neck of each case.

While the right and left indexing screws 240, 242 are here shown ashaving a uniformly advancing thread, advantageously, they may have thevariable thread shown with respect to the first embodiment.

In summary. the input gear 220 l. Provides a continuous rotation of themain worm shaft 230 which in turn:

a. Via the worm wheel 280 drives the main helical stoker shaft 282 andthe stoker transfer sprocket 286 to extract seriatim rounds from theadjacent column and to hand them off seriatim to the auxiliary helicalstoker shaft,

bv Via the worm wheel 266 drives the loading sprocket 274 andsynchronizes the sprockets 268 and 278, which receive the roundsseriatim from the auxiliary helical stoker shaft. and

c. Via the worm wheel 290 drives the geneva train of the counter anddrive system 264; and

2. Provides a continuous rotation of the auxiliary helical stoker shaft222.

The geneva train counts out the full complement of the column as theyare extracted by the main stoker shaft, and when the last round, herethe forty-seventh round, has been extracted from the column and is heldby the stoker transfer sprocket 286 in the virtual fortyeighth position,via the coupling shaft 244, provides two revolutions of the right andleft indexing screws 240, 242. The indexing screws thereby translate thetraveling brackets 283 and the thereto journalled main helical stokershaft 282 and the transfer sprocket 286 from a position adjacent thepreceeding column to a position adjacent the next succeeding column.During this translation the power worm 230 continues to rotate andcancels out the relative rotation of the therewith meshed worm wheel280, so that the main helical stoker shaft 282 and the transfer sprocket286 do not rotate. Thus a lacuna in the train of rounds fed from theshaft 282 to the auxiliary helical stoker shaft 222 is preeluded.

Thus, a continuous, regular train of rounds is extracted from theseveral columns by the main helical stoker shaft 282 and handed to theauxiliary helical stoker shaft, which passes the train of rounds alongto the receiving sprocket 268, which in turn, hands the train of roundsto the loading sprocket 274, which in turn hands the train of roundsinto the conveyor elements 310 for delivery to the gun.

It may be noted in FIG. 7, that the position shown in solid line of thesprocket 286 shows extraction from the first column of rounds, while theposition shown in phantom as 286' shows extraction from the last columnof rounds.

The system is reciprocal, and loading of the columns is accomplished byrunning the power input gear in the reverse direction.

A THIRD EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 10, a full columnof rounds 300 may be preloaded into a clip 302 which has inwardlydirected feet 304 which enter the extractor groove of the round. Theclip 302 is then inserted between a spaced apart pair of invertedT-rails 306, and the rounds are engaged by the main helical stoker shaftas discussed previously. What is claimed is: 1. An article storage andfeed system, comprising: an array of laterally spaced apart channels,each channel for storing a respective plurality of articles in arespective column along a longitudinal axis,

first means for concurrently engaging each of the plurality of articlesin any one of said plurality of channels and for sequentially extractingsuch articles as a train of articles of uniform pitch;

second means, coupled to said first means, for translating said firstmeans to each of a plurality of extraction stations in sequence, each ofsaid extractor stations being adjacent a respective one of saidplurality of channels; and

control means, coupled to said second means, for automatically actuatingsaid second means.

2. A system according to claim I, wherein:

said channels are stationary.

3. A system according to claim I, wherein:

said control means counts the number of extraction operations perchannel of said first means. 4. A system according to claim 1 wherein:each of said channels includes means for precluding transverse movementof the stored articles and for permitting longitudinal movement of thestored artides, and said first means is a first shaft having a helicalflute which concurrently engages each of the articles stored in arespective channel, whereby rotation of said first shaft translates theengaged articles longitudinally in said channel. 5. A system accordingto claim 4 wherein: said second means includes traveling support means,

said traveling support means supporting said first shaft on an axisparallel to the longitudinal axes of said channels, and

transverse support means,

said transverse support means supporting said traveling support meansfor travel along a path transverse to said longitudinal axis. 6. Asystem according to claim 5 wherein: said transverse support meanscomprises a pair of spaced apart second shafts, each second shaft havingan indential spiral cam track thereon, said spiral having a cycle equalto the space between adja' cent channels, each cycle having successiveportions of rapid advance, no advance and rapid advance, and saidtraveling support means comprises a pair of brackets respectivelyparalleled as said second shaft and respectively having a cam followerrespectively engaging a spiral cam track, and supporting said firstshaft therebetween;

whereby rotation of said second shafts provides transverse translationof said brackets and said first shaft.

7. A system according to claim 6 further including:

a third shaft paralleled for rotation about an axis which is transverseto said array of channels and having a power transmitting threadthereon,

power supply means coupled to and rotating said third shaft,

power receiving means fixed to said first shaft and engaged with saidthird shaft,

whereby rotation of said third shaft provides rotation of said firstshaft,

said power receiving means being engaged with said power transmittingthread of said third shaft while said first shaft is translated by saidsecond means.

8. A system according to claim 7 further including:

traveling sprocket means carried by said second means for receivingarticles in sequence as extracted by said first means.

9. A system according to claim 8 further including:

conveyor means for receiving articles in sequence from said travelingsprocket means.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein:

said conveyor means comprises a movable endless chain of conveyorelements for receiving articles in sequence from said traveling sprocketmeans.

11. A system according to claim 9 wherein:

said conveyor means includes a fourth shaft journallcd for rotationabout an axis which is transverse to said array of channels and having ahelical flute for receiving articles in sequence from said travelingsprocket means. 12. A system according to claim 8 wherein: said controlmeans comprises a counting chain of ge neva elements having an outputcoupled to said second means, and an input operated in synchronizationwith said first means. 13. A system according to claim 1 wherein: eachof said channels comprises:

a spaced apart pair of guides providing a longitudi nally extending slotwith a T-shaped transverse opening, and

a removable, longitudinally extending clip with a C-shaped transverseopening disposed in said T- shaped slot, for receiving a T-shapedprojection on each of the articles.

14. An ammunition storage and feed system, comprising:

an array of laterally spaced apart channels, each channel for storing arespective plurality of rounds of ammunition in a respective columnalong a Ion gitudinal axis,

first means for concurrently engaging each of the plurality of rounds inany one of said plurality of channels and for sequentially extractingsuch rounds as a train of rounds of uniform pitch;

second means, coupled to said first means, for translating said firstmeans to each of a plurality of extraction stations in sequence, each ofsaid extractor stations being adjacent a respective one of saidplurality of channels; and

a control means, coupled to said second means, for

automatically actuating said second means.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein:

said channels are stationary.

16. A system according to claim 14, wherein:

said control means counts the number of extraction operations perchannel of said first means.

17. A system according to claim 14 wherein:

each of said channels includes means for precluding transverse movementof the stored rounds and for permitting longitudinal movement of thestored round and said first means is a first shaft having a helicalflute which concurrently engages each of the rounds stored in arespective channel, whereby rotation of said first shaft translates theengaged rounds longitudinally in said channel.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein:

said second means includes traveling support means,

said traveling support means supporting said first shaft on an axisparallel to the longitudinal axes of said channels, and

transverse support means,

said transverse support means supporting said traveling support meansfor travel along a path transverse to said longitudinal axis. 19. Asystem according to claim 18 wherein: said transverse support meanscomprises a pair of spaced apart second shafts, each second shaft havingan indcntial spiral cam track thereon, said spiral having a cycle equalto the space between adjacent chunnels, each cycle having successiveportions of rapid advance. no advance and rapid advance, and

said traveling support means comprises a pair of brackets respectivelyparalleled as said second shaft and respectively having a cam followerrespectively engaging a spiral cam track, and supporting said firstshaft therebetween;

whereby rotation of said second shafts provides transverse translationof said brackets and said first shaft.

20. A system according to claim 19 further including:

a third shaft paralleled for rotation about an axis which is transverseto said array of channels and having a power transmitting threadthereon,

power supply means coupled to and rotating said third shaft,

power receiving means fixed to said first shaft and engaged with saidthird shaft,

whereby rotation of said third shaft provides rotation of said firstshaft,

said power receiving means being engaged with said power transmittingthread of said third shaft while said first shaft is translated by saidsecond means.

2l. A system according to claim 20 further including:

traveling sprocket means carried by said second means for receivingrounds in sequence as extracted by said first means.

22. A system according to claim 2] further including:

conveyor means for receiving rounds in sequence from said travelingsprocket means.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein:

said conveyor means comprises a movable endless chain of conveyorelements for receiving rounds in sequence from said traveling sprocketmeans.

24. A system according to claim 22 wherein:

said conveyor means includes a fourth shaft journalled for rotationabout an axis which is transverse to said array of channels and having ahelical flute for receiving rounds in sequence from said travelingsprocket means.

25. A system according to claim 21 wherein:

said control means comprises a counting chain of geneva elements havingan output coupled to said second means, and an input operated insynchronization with said first means.

26. A system according to claim 14 wherein:

each of said channels comprises:

a spaced apart pair of guides providing a longitudinally extending slotwith a T-shaped transverse opening, and

a removable, longitudinally extending clip with a C-shaped transverseopening disposed in said T- shaped slot, for receiving the extractordisk on each of said rounds.

1. An article storage and feed system, comprising: an array of laterallyspaced apart channels, each channel for storing a respective pluralityof articles in a respective column along a longitudinal axis, firstmeans for concurrently engaging each of the plurality of articles in anyone of said plurality of channels and for sequentially extracting sucharticles as a train of articles of uniform pitch; second means, coupledto said first means, for translating said first means to each of aplurality of extraction stations in sequence, each of said extractorstations being adjacent a respective one of said plurality of channels;and control means, coupled to said second means, for automaticallyactuating said second means.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein:said channels are stationary.
 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein:said control means counts the number of extraction operations perchannel of said first means.
 4. A system according to claim 1 wherein:each of said channels includes means for precluding transverse movementof the stored articles and for permitting longitudinal movement of thestored articles; and said first means is a first shaft having a helicalflute which concurrently engages each of the articles stored in arespective channel, whereby rotation of said first shaft translates theengaged articles longitudinally in said channel.
 5. A system accordingto claim 4 wherein: said second means includes traveling support means,said traveling support means supporting said first shaft on an axisparallel to the longitudinal axes of said channels, and transversesupport means, said transverse support means supporting said travelingsupport means for travel along a path transverse to said longitudinalaxis.
 6. A system according to claim 5 wherein: said transverse supportmeans comprises a pair of spaced apart second shafts, each second shafthaving an indential spiral cam track thereon, said spiral having a cycleequal to the space between adjacent channels, each cycle havingsuccessive portions of rapid advance, no advance and rapid advance, andsaid traveling support means comprises a pair of brackets respectivelyparalleled as said second shaft and respectively having a cam followerrespectively engaging a spiral cam track, and supporting said firstshaft therebetween; whereby rotation of said second shafts providestransverse translation of said brackets and said first shaft.
 7. Asystem according to claim 6 further including: a third shaft paralleledfor rotation about an axis which is transverse to said array of channelsand having a power transmitting thread thereon, power supply meanscoupled to and rotating said third shaft, power receiving means fixed tosaid first shaft and engaged with said third shaft, whereby rotation ofsaid third shaft provides rotation of said first shaft, said powerreceiving means being engaged with said power transmitting thread ofsaid third shaft while said first shaft is translated by said secondmeans.
 8. A system according to claim 7 further including: travelingsprocket means carried by said second means for receiving articles insequence as extracted by said first means.
 9. A system according toclaim 8 further including: conveyor means for receiving articles insequence from said traveling sprocket means.
 10. A system according toclaim 9 wherein: said conveyor means comprises a movable endless chainof conveyor elements for receiving articles in sequence from saidtraveling sprocket means.
 11. A system according to claim 9 wherein:said conveyor means includes a fourth shaft journalled for rotationabout an axis which is transverse to said array of channels and having ahelical Flute for receiving articles in sequence from said travelingsprocket means.
 12. A system according to claim 8 wherein: said controlmeans comprises a counting chain of geneva elements having an outputcoupled to said second means, and an input operated in synchronizationwith said first means.
 13. A system according to claim 1 wherein: eachof said channels comprises: a spaced apart pair of guides providing alongitudinally extending slot with a T-shaped transverse opening, and aremovable, longitudinally extending clip with a C-shaped transverseopening disposed in said T-shaped slot, for receiving a T-shapedprojection on each of the articles.
 14. An ammunition storage and feedsystem, comprising: an array of laterally spaced apart channels, eachchannel for storing a respective plurality of rounds of ammunition in arespective column along a longitudinal axis, first means forconcurrently engaging each of the plurality of rounds in any one of saidplurality of channels and for sequentially extracting such rounds as atrain of rounds of uniform pitch; second means, coupled to said firstmeans, for translating said first means to each of a plurality ofextraction stations in sequence, each of said extractor stations beingadjacent a respective one of said plurality of channels; and a controlmeans, coupled to said second means, for automatically actuating saidsecond means.
 15. A system according to claim 14 wherein: said channelsare stationary.
 16. A system according to claim 14, wherein: saidcontrol means counts the number of extraction operations per channel ofsaid first means.
 17. A system according to claim 14 wherein: each ofsaid channels includes means for precluding transverse movement of thestored rounds and for permitting longitudinal movement of the storedround and said first means is a first shaft having a helical flute whichconcurrently engages each of the rounds stored in a respective channel,whereby rotation of said first shaft translates the engaged roundslongitudinally in said channel.
 18. A system according to claim 17wherein: said second means includes traveling support means, saidtraveling support means supporting said first shaft on an axis parallelto the longitudinal axes of said channels, and transverse support means,said transverse support means supporting said traveling support meansfor travel along a path transverse to said longitudinal axis.
 19. Asystem according to claim 18 wherein: said transverse support meanscomprises a pair of spaced apart second shafts, each second shaft havingan indential spiral cam track thereon, said spiral having a cycle equalto the space between adjacent channels, each cycle having successiveportions of rapid advance, no advance and rapid advance, and saidtraveling support means comprises a pair of brackets respectivelyparalleled as said second shaft and respectively having a cam followerrespectively engaging a spiral cam track, and supporting said firstshaft therebetween; whereby rotation of said second shafts providestransverse translation of said brackets and said first shaft.
 20. Asystem according to claim 19 further including: a third shaft paralleledfor rotation about an axis which is transverse to said array of channelsand having a power transmitting thread thereon, power supply meanscoupled to and rotating said third shaft, power receiving means fixed tosaid first shaft and engaged with said third shaft, whereby rotation ofsaid third shaft provides rotation of said first shaft, said powerreceiving means being engaged with said power transmitting thread ofsaid third shaft while said first shaft is translated by said secondmeans.
 21. A system according to claim 20 further including: travelingsprocket means carried by said second means for receiving rounds insequence as extracted by said first means.
 22. A systeM according toclaim 21 further including: conveyor means for receiving rounds insequence from said traveling sprocket means.
 23. A system according toclaim 22 wherein: said conveyor means comprises a movable endless chainof conveyor elements for receiving rounds in sequence from saidtraveling sprocket means.
 24. A system according to claim 22 wherein:said conveyor means includes a fourth shaft journalled for rotationabout an axis which is transverse to said array of channels and having ahelical flute for receiving rounds in sequence from said travelingsprocket means.
 25. A system according to claim 21 wherein: said controlmeans comprises a counting chain of geneva elements having an outputcoupled to said second means, and an input operated in synchronizationwith said first means.
 26. A system according to claim 14 wherein: eachof said channels comprises: a spaced apart pair of guides providing alongitudinally extending slot with a T-shaped transverse opening, and aremovable, longitudinally extending clip with a C-shaped transverseopening disposed in said T-shaped slot, for receiving the extractor diskon each of said rounds.